Topic > Functionalist views of social stratification by…

Marx disagrees with the functionalist view that people in power do not exist because of superior traits; but more of an ideology that elites use to justify their position at the top and seduce the oppressed into believing that their well-being depends on remaining silent and following the authorities. (2012:230) Marx saw four possible ways to distribute wealth: each person's needs, what each wants, what each earns, and what each can take. From Marx's point of view there were two social classes based on economics: the bourgeoisie is the capitalist class and the proletariats are the working class. The bourgeoisie is the one that owns and controls the means of production, the norms and values ​​of society. They use their social control to maintain control in society and use their power to make the distribution of resources appear fair. The proletariat will remain exploited if they do not develop class consciousness. If the proletariat develops class consciousness, they will be able to overthrow the bourgeoisie. Those who have more power will have more resources than those who have no power will have fewer resources. The elite class has more power and money which allows them to have any resources they need or want such as education, jobs, food, etc… The lower class will not have the same resources as the elite class, some abandon the high school to work provide for their food, shelter and clothing